KBS aim to help more people turn their passion for sports into profits

PETALING JAYA: Many are still not aware that it is possible to generate substantial income from sports.

And Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu hopes to change this perception.

It’s one of the aspirations he has put into motion 100 days after entering the office of the Youth and Sports Ministry (KBS).

“Many are still unaware of the possibilities offered by the sports industry.

“This is why we hope to change this through better support and awareness, which could indirectly help generate self-income for athletes and boost the country’s economic growth.

“Ultimately, the goal is to create more opportunities for Malaysians to earn a comfortable living while pursuing their dreams in sports,” said Ahmad Faizal, adding that the KBS will be able to focus on the welfare of athletes especially if they can generate a big income from the sports industry.

“I always remind our current top athletes that now is the time to monetise their popularity. “Their (personal) brand can bring profits not only for themselves but the sport they represent.

“We also care greatly about the welfare of our former athletes at the same time and we encourage and also guide them to be involved in businesses within the sports industry,” said Ahmad Faizal, who took over as the new Youth and Sports Minister from Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican towards the end of August.

The Youth and Sports Ministry have also launched an all-new Talent Identification and Development Programme to help find prospective athletes for the country.

Through a partnership with the Ministry of Education (MOE) and teachers in schools, MyTID will utilise technology to help the ministry identify students talented in sports from as young as seven years old.

“Teachers will be able to key in information about students with potential into the database. For example, if the ministry wants to find a student, aged below 12, who can clock 12 seconds in the 100m event, we would be able to find information on the student with just a single click,” he added.

The programme will also involve 500 trained and experienced coaches known as Talent Eagles.

The Youth and Sports Ministry have also put in place plans to help sports-related business operators affected by Covid-19 to restart their businesses.

The Youth and Sports Ministry were allocated RM10mil specifically under the 2021 Budget to enhance the training programmes for para athletes and implement the Para Sports League in preparation for the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris.

Apart from that, a total of RM159mil had been allocated for building, upgrading and maintaining sports facilities nationwide.

Falling under this allocation is RM20mil for national e-sports development, which includes RM5mil for creating a Drone Sports Centre of Excellence.